New Syracuse University drama chairman comes from Juilliard

Stephen Sartori / Courtesy of Syracuse University Ralph Zito, named chair of Syracuse University drama department in July 2010.

The Syracuse University drama department has a new chairman.

Ralph Zito, who has been chairman of the voice and speech department of the Juilliard School's drama division, assumed the position July 1. He replaces Maria Marrero, who is returning to teaching in the department.

Zito is "responsible for the creative and academic leadership and vision of the department, including the oversight of administrative and curricular processes, recruitment of new faculty, staff and students, and for faculty development and mentoring," Ann Clarke, dean of SU's College of Visual and Performing Arts, said in making the announcement. He also will hold the title of professor of drama.

Zito began teaching in Juilliard's voice and speech department in 1992. He has also served as associate director of the school's mentoring program.

As a voice, text and dialect coach, he worked on and off-Broadway and for several national tours, as well as many regional theaters. For seven seasons, he was the artistic associate for the Chautauqua Theater Company, where he also taught and directed.

A Harvard University graduate, Zito also has a diploma in acting from Juilliard's drama division.